    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 27 (Monday, July 14, 2008)]
    [Pages 969-970]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Remarks Following a Meeting With President Dmitry A. Medvedev of Russia
    and an Exchange With Reporters in Toyako

    July 7, 2008

        President Bush. I want to thank the President for a good, meaningful
    discussion. It's the first time Dmitry and I met since he has become
    President of his big country, and we had a good discussion. We talked
    about Iran; we talked about a variety of issues. And while there's some
    areas of disagreement, there's also areas where I know we can work
    together for the common good.
        I found him to be a smart guy who understood the issues very well.
    But I'm not surprised; after all, he has been very close to foreign
    policy issues up until his ascendancy to the Presidency. And he reminded
    me of our visit to the White House in 2005, where we discussed foreign
    policy then. And now it's my honor to discuss it face to face as
    Presidents of our respective countries.
        Thank you, sir.
        President Medvedev. Well, indeed, we had this exchange today with
    George concerning various issues at the agenda of our relationship,
    including those of domestic importance, trade and investments, and
    internationally related matters, including those conflicts and crisis
    tendencies in the world. And true that on certain matters, we do have
    differences originating from the previous background and differences are
    there. And on the others, we have absolutely similar positions. But what
    is really important, the dialog is there and there is a commonality of
    the overview on various things between us.
        And the other thing which is also important is that I congratulated
    George on his birthday, which is also a very important thing;
    irrespective of summits out there, irrespective of our will, these dates
    occur in our life.
        President Bush. Everybody has a birthday. Anyway, we'll answer one
    question apiece.
        Deb [Deb Riechmann, Associated Press].

    Russia-U.S. Relations/Russian Leadership

        Q. Thank you, Mr. President. You're leaving; he's coming. There's
    not much time left. Were you able to make any movement? Was there
    anything that you could accomplish in this thing--on issues like missile
    defense? And also, besides his intellect, what else did you see in the
    new President?
        President Bush. Yes. I reminded him that, yes, I'm leaving, but not
    until 6 months, and I'm sprinting to the finish. So we can get a lot
    done together. And, you know, it's a lot of important issues. There is--
    you know, like Iran is an area where Russia and the United States have
    worked closely in the past and will continue to work closely to convince
    the regime to give up its desire to enrich uranium.
        You know, I'm not going to sit here and psychoanalyze the man, but I
    will tell you that he's very comfortable; he's confident, and that I
    believe that when he tells me something, he means it. Sometimes in
    politics people tell you one thing and mean another. My judgment is that
    when he tells you something he means it, and that's going to be good for
    the world leaders to have somebody that you may not agree with what he
    tells you, but at least you know it's what he believes.

    Russia-U.S. Relations

        Q. What is your perspective of the further development of U.S.-
    Russia relationship?
        President Medvedev. Well, yes, we have discussed these matters on
    the further development of a relationship between our two countries with
    George, and we are positive that they will develop further on. And we
    will build on the relationship with the new American administration. But
    we still have 6 months with the effective administration, and we'll try
    to intensify our dialog with this administration.
        The other thing is that, yes, there are certain questions on our
    agenda where we agree, and these are the matters pertaining to Iran,
    North Korea. But then, certainly, there are others with respect to
    European affairs and this missile defense where we have differences. We
    would like to agree on these matters as well, and we also feel very
    comfortable in our dealings with George.
        President Bush. Thank you. Thank you, sir.
        President Medvedev. Thank you.

    [[Page 970]]

    Note: The President spoke at 12:32 p.m. at the Windsor Hotel Toya Resort
    and Spa. President Medvedev and a reporter spoke in Russian, and their
    remarks were translated by an interpreter.